Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 18 November 2021 · 9 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Antony Higginbotham inquired about assistance for restoring cultural heritage sites in his constituency, receiving information on funding from various sources.
  • Antony Higginbotham questioned the process for appointing the Ofcom chair, requesting a restart with an independent panel, to which no additional comments were provided.
  • Rachael Maskell requested a meeting with the Minister to discuss concerns regarding the telecommunications code, to which the Minister agreed.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Antony Higginbotham
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP notes the importance of culture and heritage in local communities, highlighting specific assets such as Townley Hall and Burnley Empire theatre which are in need of regeneration.

Question

Culture and heritage are so important to our local communities, particularly in my constituency with gems like Townley Hall and Burnley Empire theatre. The latter is in need of regeneration. What is the Department doing to help communities restore these assets?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

Eight organisations in my hon. Friend's constituency received £1 million from the culture recovery fund, £20 million from the levelling-up fund, and a grant of more than £1 million from Historic England's high streets heritage action zone initiative. I urge my hon. Friend to contact Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund for further funding opportunities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific support for Townley Hall and Burnley Empire theatre was not addressed directly, only general funds mentioned

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Q2 Antony Higginbotham
Taxation Parliamentary Procedure Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP references the Owen Paterson scandal where the Government altered rules mid-process. The appointment of Paul Dacre as a candidate for the Ofcom chair is criticized, with John Booth on the panel who donated £200,000 to the Tory party.

Question

After the Owen Paterson scandal and the changing job description for the Ofcom chair to give Paul Dacre another chance, will the Secretary of State restart the process with original requirements and an independent panel free from conflict, and accept recommendations from the DCMS Committee?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

The appointments process follows due process and governance code for public appointments. The current process is underway, and I cannot comment further.

Not addressed: MP's specific request to restart the appointment process was ignored in favor of general statements about fairness

How: Discussed Unrelated Scandals, Referred To Adherence To Governance Code

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Q3 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Science & Technology
Context

The MP seeks a meeting with the Minister of State to discuss issues related to the telecommunications code.

Question

Can I have a meeting with the Minister of State to share my concerns about the telecommunications code?

Answer from Julia Lopez

Yes.

Answered
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Q4 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Local councils are setting their budgets for next year, facing potential closures of leisure centres and swimming pools due to lack of help from the Government's Budget.

Question

Due to the lack of help in this Government's Budget last month, there will be more closures of leisure centres and swimming pools. When will the sports Minister step in to provide funding?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

During the pandemic, we provided £1 billion to support sport, with £100 million specifically for leisure centres. We are willing to work together with local councils to ensure that everyone can swim.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific new funding commitments were not made beyond general willingness to collaborate

How: Discussed Past Support During Pandemic

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Q5 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Women & Equalities
Context

Girl Guide advocates met the MP to discuss tackling online abuse and cyber-flashing, emphasizing the need for verification in proposed legislation.

Question

The national Girl Guide advocates spoke passionately about tackling online abuse and cyber-flashing. Will the Secretary of State meet me next week to discuss my ten-minute rule Bill on choice of verification?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

I am happy to.

Answered
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Q6 Alex Norris Labour (Co-op) Nottingham North and Kimberley
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Channel 4 contributes significantly to job growth in regional media production, with over 130 companies relying heavily on it for their work.

Question

Channel 4 makes a huge contribution to job growth. Will the Minister concede that privatising Channel 4 will endanger jobs and undermine the levelling-up agenda?

Answer from Julia Lopez

We are looking at all consultation responses regarding Channel 4's privatisation. We will examine the health of the independent sector and its relationship with public service broadcasting.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific acknowledgment of job risks was not given, only general consideration mentioned

How: Discussed Overall Review Process

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Q7 Richard Burgon Lab Leeds East
Mental Health
Context

Joe Nihill, a former Army cadet from Leeds East, tragically took his own life after accessing suicide forums. His family is campaigning to prevent similar tragedies.

Question

Joe Nihill, a 23-year-old former Army cadet from Whinmoor in my constituency, tragically took his own life after accessing so-called suicide forums. His mother Catherine and his sister-in-law Melanie are running an inspirational campaign to ensure that what happened to Joe does not happen to other families. As we wait for the online safety Bill to progress, will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating Catherine and Melanie on their inspirational campaign and in sending a firm message to tech giants that they will now have to take action to remove these suicide forums that prey on vulnerable people?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

I certainly join the hon. Gentleman in congratulating his constituents. He is absolutely right, and the online harms Bill and the regulatory framework that will accompany it will do just what he asks. Those online platforms and online giants have the ability right now to remove those harmful algorithms that direct children and young people to suicide chat rooms. I call on them to start that work, because if they do not, the Bill will be here in the new year and they will be subject to huge fines and possibly criminal action.

Answered
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Q8 Ronnie Cowan SNP
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The actions of Football Index have been called scandalous by the Scottish National Party, leading to a demand for an inquiry.

Question

The actions of Football Index can only be described as scandalous. The Scottish National party called for an inquiry, and that has been delivered. Can the Minister guarantee that the actions the Government take as a result of the inquiry will ensure that such shameful behaviour by the gambling firms will never be repeated?

Answer from Chris Philp

I thank the hon. Member for his question. We are taking this very seriously. As I said on an earlier question, a detailed review by a QC is being conducted already to make sure that the regulatory action—whether by the Gambling Commission or, in different circumstances, the FCA—is appropriate. It is important that these gambling firms are looked at very carefully, and it is our intention that the Gambling Commission do that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not provide a guarantee that such behaviour will never be repeated.

How: Under Review, Taking Seriously

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Q9 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The collapse of Football Index has affected many constituents, prompting questions about redress and regulatory failings.

Question

Can I reiterate the earlier question from my hon. Friend the Member for Blaydon (Liz Twist) about the collapse of Football Index, and reiterate the need for Ministers to look at the issues of better redress and the failings in this case, on behalf of my constituents affected?

Answer from Chris Philp

Yes, it is being looked at extremely carefully, and I can assure the hon. Lady that that work is going on.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not commit to specific actions or timelines for addressing redress and regulatory failings.

How: Under Review, Taking Seriously

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